News List

Nov. 8, 2013
Here is the latest edition of Week In Review - a series of weekly messages from the Mayor and City Council to help Richardson residents and businesses keep up to date on events at City Hall.

Eisemann Center Reaches Two Million in Attendance
This week the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations surpassed two-million visitors through its doors. This milestone was reached during the Richardson Symphony Orchestra's Symphony Days school performance Wednesday. Students attending the concert were third graders from the Richardson Independent School District (RISD).

Since opening its doors to arts patrons and corporate clients throughout the North Texas region in September 2002, the Eisemann Center has hosted more than 4,775 artistic and corporate events.

Voters Approve Amendments, Plano ISD Tax Rate IncreaseTexas voters on Tuesday approved 9 amendments to the state constitution, which included the creation of a $2 billion fund to pay for long-term water-related projects.

Plano ISD residents also approved a 13 cent increase in the maintenance and operations tax rate, which funds salaries and day-to-day operational costs. The debt service tax rate will go down by 5 cents, leaving Plano ISD residents with an 8 cent tax increase per $100 of assessed property value.

All election results are unofficial until the votes have been canvassed.

Plano ISD Celebrates Opening of Academy High School

Richardson students attending Plano Independent Schools have access to a new Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics Academy that teaches group-based learning and organizational skills. Plano ISD dedicated the new Academy High School last night with a ceremony and art event at the new campus on Alma Road in Plano.

The 9th-12th grade school has a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). Students will learn through real-world experiences by developing connections with other students and the outside community.

The University of Texas at Dallas celebrated the opening of its new $60 million, 155,000-square-foot Arts and Technology (ATEC) program building yesterday morning. The new facility contains classrooms, conference rooms, art studios, labs and a 1,200-seat lecture hall.

The new building is named after Edith O’Donnell, a Texas philanthropist whose foundation has supported UT Dallas and other scientific research institutions for decades. The new facility has been open to students since the beginning of the fall semester.

Richardson Named Top 10 2013 Digital City
The City of Richardson has been named a Top 10 digital city in the 2013 Digital Cities Survey conducted by e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government and the Digital Communities Program. The survey recognizes municipalities that use technology to increase transparency, improve efficiency and enhance communications with residents, among other things.

Richardson to Celebrate America Recycles Day
The City of Richardson will promote living green and recycling in the community next Friday with several events held in conjunction with America Recycles Day.

Blue recycling bags will be available free of charge (limit one roll per household) at City Hall, the Huffhines and Heights Recreation Centers and the Richardson Senior Center.

People can also recycle their new (but never worn) or gently used shoes to the “Gathering Soles for NETWORK” shoe drive going on now until Nov. 21 as part of the “Ask Not… the Dallas County Day of Service.” Shoe donation locations are available at several City facilities. Visit cor.net/ShoeDrive for more information.

The City’s goal is to increase awareness of recycling programs offered by the City and to increase the amount of material that is diverted from landfills and is recycled instead.

Richardson Honored for Improving Air Quality in North TexasThe City of Richardson has been named a winner of the 2013 Working for Clean Air Award in the Best Large Fleet category, recognizing its outstanding work to reduce emissions from City vehicles.

I-635 Lanes Closed for ConstructionThe HOV lanes on I-635 between I-30 and US 75 and along US 75 between Park Boulevard and I-635 are closed to traffic until midnight Nov. 25 for construction crews to install new signage and connect the existing HOV lanes to the soon-to-open 3.2 miles of TEXpress lanes between Preston Road and Greenville Avenue. The main lanes of I-635 and US 75 will remain open during this time.

The eastbound general purpose lanes of I-635 between Preston Road and Coit Road will be closed from 9 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday for crews to finish asphalt paving.

All closures are subject to weather conditions and will be postponed, if necessary. The work is part of the $3.1 billion LBJ Express project, which is approximately 54 percent complete.

The Richardson Chamber of Commerce and Richardson Rotary Clubs recognized several businesses and individuals Tuesday at the newly named Richardson EDGE Awards, formerly the Business and Industry Awards. The annual luncheon recognizes their contributions to the local economy and the community. The Chamber and the Rotary Clubs have held the event for the past 30 years.

The NETWORK of Community Ministries, in partnership with the City of Richardson, is asking members of the Richardson community to participate in the “Gathering Soles for NETWORK” shoe drive through Nov. 21. Donation boxes are set up at NETWORK, most City facilities and several other locations to collect new and gently used shoes for NETWORK’s Richardson-North Dallas Family Clothing Center. The City Council received an update on the program at a work session Monday.

Shoes of all sizes and types will be accepted, but NETWORK has the greatest need for children’s shoes.

The fourth annual Spirit Run 5K will take place at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Galatyn Plaza. The event benefits the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation, which supports students in RISD through scholarships and programs.

Bands, drum lines and other groups from the four RISD high schools will encourage runners along the 3.1-mile route. At the end of the race, runners will vote for the most spirited high school, and the winner will receive the Spirit Trophy.

The event will also include a 1-mile Walk/Fun Run at 8 a.m. and awards for overall and age group winners at 9:30 a.m.

Richardson Woman’s Club Holiday Bazaar
The Richardson Woman’s Club will host a Holiday Bazaar until 5 p.m. Friday and from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Founders Hall, 2005 N. Cliffe Dr. Admission is free to the event, which will include a bake shop, gift ideas and many vendors.

Lunch will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for $13. Dessert will be served until 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for $3.

Holiday Bazaar at Senior Center This Weekend
The Senior Center Holiday Bazaar will be open until 5 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Senior Center, 820 W. Arapaho Rd.

The annual event features handmade arts and crafts of all varieties, including jewelry, quilts, ceramics, paintings, doll clothes, needlework, and many other craft items created by local seniors ages 55 plus.

The Senior Center will offer hot dogs, chili, taco salad, nachos and other food items for all to try at the bazaar. For more information, call 972-744-7800. Admission is free.

Lunchtime Lectures Continue at Library
Learn all about Benjamin Franklin in a series of Lunchtime Lectures continuing Tuesday at the Richardson Public Library in the Basement Program Room. The free program presented by Richard Cudlipp will be from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. each Tuesday through Nov. 19.

Registration is not required, and participants are welcome to bring a lunch. For more information, contact Janet Vance at 972-744-4376 or Richard Cudlipp at rcudlipp@sbcglobal.net.

Lego Challenge at Library

Children age 6 to 10 are invited to the “Box of Bricks” Lego Challenge from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Richardson Public Library. Attendees will have the opportunity to make creations from a box of Legos.

Registration is required by phone or in person. For more information, call 972-744-4358.

Ikebana Flower Arranging Class at Library

The Richardson Public Library will host an Ikebana Flower Arranging Class from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Saturday in the Basement Program Room. The event will include demonstrations and opportunities for hands-on participation.

Seating is limited. Call 972-744-4376 to reserve a space.

Eisemann Center Presents Family, Comedy Shows This Week
Eisemann Center Presents will feature a family show and a comedy show this week. “Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly” will bring the bestselling series of books by Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss to life as the characters learn what makes them unique. The show will be performed at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $12 to $22.

The Southern Fried Chicks Cage-Free Comedy Tour will perform five shows at the Eisemann Center from Thursday through Nov. 17. The show will include stories, music, audience participation, dancing and more. Tickets cost $35 to $40.